A recent survey suggests that infertility may be a common problem among American servicewomen

How common are fertility issues among women in the US military?

According the Service Women’s Action Network, 37% of women from the various branches of the military (army, navy, air force, marines) surveyed experience difficulty in conceiving.

Is it easy to get infertility treatment in the military?

While treatment is available, respondents reported that treatment services were limited and difficult to access. Many basic fertility procedures such as IUI and access to a fertility specialist were unavailable on base, and for those who require advances treatments such as IVF, there are only a few military medical facilities which offer it. Frequently, those centers have long waiting lists, and require significant travel.

What about off base fertility treatment for service women?

Like other practices in different parts of the country, we are close to an active military base. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is not far and we do participate with Tricare, so we do get to help many couples from the base seeking fertility treatment. The obstetricians and midwives in our practice also see many of the service women and family members for pregnancy care and gynecologic issues.